Fears’ play making, Bey’s bench scoring and a new starting combination give New Orleans momentum before Monday’s road test.

NEW ORLEANS — The Pelicans have finally given themselves something to build on. Consecutive victories over Sacramento and Atlanta have replaced an 0–4 opening with a two-game winning streak, and their next assignment will test how much of that progress travels.

halloWIN#Pelicans | @HancockWhitney pic.twitter.com/mBGc9VMvv6

— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) November 1, 2026

New Orleans visits the unbeaten Memphis Grizzlies on Monday, November 2, at 7 p.m. Central at FedExForum. The Pelicans enter 2–4; Memphis is 6–0 and pursuing the best start in franchise history.

For Jamahl Mosley’s team, the story is about the way the wins arrived. The Pelicans found more connected offense against the Kings, then paired another productive scoring night with a much stronger defensive result against the Hawks.

Quick facts

• The streak: New Orleans beat Sacramento 132–120 on October 29 and Atlanta 121–99 on October 31.
• Combined margin: The Pelicans outscored those opponents 253–219, a 34-point advantage.
• Standouts: Jeremiah Fears has consecutive 20-point games; Saddiq Bey scored 25 off the bench against Atlanta.
• Next game: Pelicans at Grizzlies, Monday, November 2, 7 p.m. Central, FedExForum.
• Local coverage: GCSEN / Pelicans+; radio on WWL 870 AM and 105.3 FM.

Fears is giving the offense a clearer rhythm

Fears’ performance against Sacramento was the strongest signal of what a more organized attack could produce. He finished with 22 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds in the 132–120 win.

The Pelicans recorded 32 assists on 50 made baskets, with all 10 players who appeared collecting at least one assist, according to Field Level Media’s pre-Hawks report. The distribution of those contributions matters: the offense kept creating opportunities beyond its first option.

Fears followed with 20 points and seven assists against Atlanta. That is useful evidence of developing responsibility across consecutive games. The next challenge is maintaining his decision-making against a road opponent capable of punishing empty possessions.

Bey’s bench production gives Mosley another answer

Bey supplied 25 points on 9-for-13 shooting against the Hawks. Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy III each added 15 as New Orleans won by 22.

A reserve leading the scoring can change the shape of a night. It gives the coaching staff a productive option when the opening group changes, and it reduces the need for Williamson or Murphy to manufacture an answer on every trip.

Mosley’s lineup adjustments have also earned a closer look. He inserted Karlo Matković at center and Herb Jones at shooting guard before the two victories. Matković contributed 10 rebounds and made both of his three-point attempts against Atlanta.

The early returns justify more evaluation of those combinations. Two games remain a small sample, and the value will come from whether the spacing, defensive assignments and ball movement hold up against different opponents.

The defensive result improved, with context

Atlanta managed only 99 points and shot 8-for-46 from three-point range. New Orleans built a 35–18 first-quarter lead, scored 16 points off eight opening-quarter Hawks turnovers and never let Atlanta cut the deficit back to single digits.

That was a much more comfortable finish than the Pelicans had produced during their opening losing streak. Their advantage survived changes in personnel and the middle quarters, and the fourth period began with New Orleans ahead 92–74.

Atlanta’s missed shots belong in the assessment, too. New Orleans cannot count on another opponent converting only 17.4 percent of its threes. The repeatable targets are the pressure on the ball, the quality of the closeouts and the work that ends a possession after the first miss.

Memphis brings a different level of offensive pressure

The Grizzlies reached 6–0 with a 136–105 win over Sacramento. Rookie Cameron Boozer scored 27 points and grabbed nine rebounds in that game, continuing a strong introduction to the league.

Field Level Media reported that Memphis entered Sunday leading the NBA in scoring, three-point percentage and made threes. Boozer, Cedric Coward and Jaylen Wells give New Orleans several assignments to manage rather than one scorer to crowd.

That makes the balance of the Pelicans’ defense central to the preview. Aggressive pressure can create opportunities, but a failed gamble can leave help defenders choosing between the rim and an open shooter. New Orleans needs its activity to remain connected across the floor.

Availability will shape the matchup

Sunday’s Associated Press preview listed Dejounte Murray out for personal reasons, Jordan Poole out with an ankle issue and Yves Missi out with a knee issue. Memphis listed Ty Jerome and Scotty Pippen Jr. out with back issues and Quinten Post out with an ankle issue.

Those are the statuses available for this preview, rather than confirmed starting lineups. Any updates before Monday’s tipoff could change the guard rotation, center minutes and the combinations each coach uses.

Three keys to extending the streak

Keep the ball moving after the first action. Fears’ recent production is most valuable when it gets several teammates involved. If Memphis stops the initial drive, New Orleans needs a second pass, another cut or a quick reset before the possession becomes a difficult late-clock attempt.

Finish defensive possessions. Forcing a miss is only part of the job. The Pelicans need secure rebounds and clear outlets so that productive defensive work turns into an organized possession at the other end.

Manage Memphis’ response. A road lead will face pressure. New Orleans needs to protect the ball, communicate through substitutions and continue creating good attempts when the crowd and the opponent generate a run.

What this game can tell us

The two victories have given the Pelicans an encouraging direction: Fears organizing, Bey contributing off the bench and a lineup with recent success to examine. The Memphis game offers a more demanding measure of those improvements.

A third straight win would be a significant road result. The performance itself will also matter: can New Orleans preserve its offensive decisions and defensive responsibilities when the opponent is playing with confidence? That is the next test for a team beginning to turn a difficult start into a more competitive season.

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